- Immigrant Times
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Spain to provide undocumented immigrants
with work permits
Spain’s approach contrasts with tightening immigration policies across Europe
By The Immigrant Times
Official figures show that close to 10 million foreign-born residents now live in Spain, representing almost 20 per cent of the population. (Photo: NIM Immigration Lawyers)
January 2026: Spain’s Socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is preparing a large-scale regularisation programme that could allow around 500,000 undocumented migrants to live and work legally in the country. The measure, expected to be introduced by royal decree, would grant temporary residence and work permits to people already living in Spain without valid papers. Ministers say the initiative is aimed at reducing labour shortages, tackling exploitation in the informal economy and aligning migration policy with Spain’s economic needs. The decision to proceed by decree reflects political reality, with the governing coalition lacking a guaranteed parliamentary majority for a comprehensive regularisation bill.
Immigration in Spain
Immigration has become a defining feature of Spain’s demographic and economic landscape. Official figures show that close to 10 million foreign-born residents now live in the country, representing almost 20 per cent of the population.
Most non-EU immigrants originate from Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, reflecting Spain’s historical, linguistic and regional ties with North Africa and Latin America. These communities play a central role in sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, domestic work and care services. Alongside non-EU migration, Spain also hosts large numbers of EU citizens who have moved under free movement rules, contributing further to workforce growth.
The government estimates that around 500,000 people currently live in Spain without legal residence status. Many entered the country on short-term visas and overstayed, while others arrived through irregular migration routes, including Mediterranean crossings and arrivals via the Canary Islands. Despite lacking formal status, many undocumented migrants are already economically active, often working in precarious conditions without labour protections.
Spain has experience with mass regularisation. In 2005, under the Socialist government led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, more than half a million undocumented workers were granted legal status. That programme is frequently cited by policymakers as evidence that regularisation can increase tax revenue, boost social security contributions and reduce undeclared employment.
The government’s proposals
According to statements from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones) and government briefings published on its official website La Moncloa, the new measure will introduce an ‘extraordinary regularisation’ pathway for undocumented migrants who meet specific criteria.
Applicants would be required to demonstrate that they were living in Spain before a government-defined cut-off date, show evidence of social or economic integration, and provide a clean criminal record. Successful applicants would receive a temporary residence and work permit, initially valid for one year and renewable if employment conditions are maintained.
Officials have emphasised that the decree is designed to complement existing immigration and labour policies, rather than replace standard residence pathways. The government argues that the move will bring workers out of the shadow economy, strengthen labour protections and improve oversight in sectors where informal employment remains widespread.
The decision to use a royal decree reflects legislative gridlock. While a citizen-backed initiative calling for mass regularisation has gained significant public support, parliamentary divisions have slowed progress. By acting through executive powers, the government aims to implement the policy more rapidly while avoiding prolonged political negotiations.
The new proposals in practice
If approved, the regularisation process could begin within weeks. Immigration offices would be responsible for processing applications, creating logistical challenges given the expected volume of cases. Previous programmes have shown that administrative bottlenecks and appointment backlogs can slow implementation, particularly in high-demand regions.
Economically, the impact is expected to be significant. Agriculture, especially seasonal harvesting, continues to face labour shortages. Construction companies report difficulties recruiting skilled and semi-skilled workers, while tourism and hospitality remain heavily dependent on migrant labour. Care services and domestic work, which already rely on foreign-born workers, are also likely to absorb a large share of newly regularised employees.
Supporters argue that legal status will allow migrants to access formal contracts, social security coverage and labour protections, while enabling the state to collect taxes and contributions that are currently lost to the informal economy.
Political and public reaction in Spain
The proposal has triggered a strong political debate. The governing Socialist Party and its coalition partners describe the measure as pragmatic and economically necessary, stressing that undocumented migrants are already part of Spanish society and the workforce.
Trade unions and migrant rights organisations have broadly welcomed the initiative, arguing that regularisation will reduce exploitation and workplace abuse. Business groups, particularly in agriculture and hospitality, have expressed cautious support, citing persistent labour shortages.
Opposition parties have taken a more critical stance. The conservative People’s Party has warned that large-scale regularisation could create incentives for irregular immigration. The far-right Vox party has framed the plan as a threat to border control and public services. These divisions reflect wider tensions in Spanish politics, where immigration policy has become an increasingly polarising issue.
Public opinion remains mixed, with broad recognition of migrants’ economic contribution alongside concerns about housing pressure, infrastructure capacity and social integration.
Spain versus other European countries
Spain’s approach contrasts sharply with current policy trends across much of Europe. In recent years, many governments have moved toward stricter asylum rules and tougher enforcement measures rather than broad regularisation.
In the United Kingdom, migration policy has focused on deterrence and tighter asylum controls, with limited legal pathways for undocumented workers to regularise their status. Sweden, once known for generous refugee policies, has introduced stricter residence requirements and tougher family reunification rules. The Netherlands and Austria have similarly tightened asylum procedures and expanded deportation powers.
Germany has expanded skilled migration channels but remains cautious about broad regularisation programmes. France has introduced selective pathways for undocumented workers in shortage sectors, but on a smaller scale. Italy has periodically opened temporary labour quotas but has avoided mass legalisation.
Switzerland presents a different model. While maintaining strict entry controls, it has invested heavily in structured integration policies, including language training, labour market access and social participation programmes. This approach is often cited as a benchmark for long-term migrant inclusion.
Spain’s policy shift also comes at a time of relatively strong economic performance. In recent years, Spain’s growth rate has outpaced that of several other large EU economies, including Germany, France and Italy, supported by a rebound in tourism, rising exports and sustained job creation. Unemployment, while still high by European standards, has fallen steadily, and social security contributions have reached record levels. Government officials argue that migration has played a central role in this recovery, helping to fill labour shortages and support public finances, a context that helps explain why Spain is willing to pursue a more expansive regularisation strategy than many of its EU partners.
Further reading from The Immigrant Times: Immigrant workers boost Spain’s economy || Immigration from Africa to Europe || Teaching and training for refugees in Spain ||
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